Jimmy Kimmel returns to his late night show
(NBC, KYMA) - Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late night show Tuesday, after being suspended by Disney, which owns ABC, for comments he made last week concerning the man who shot and killed Charlie Kirk.
His suspension sparked a national debate about free speech in the country.
Kimmel was welcomed back by a cheering crowd before offering an emotional explanation of his controversial comments during his monologue.
"I do want to make something clear, because it's important to me as a human and that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don't think there's anything funny about it. I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed, sending love to his family and asking for compassion. And I meant it. I still do. Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what it was obviously a deeply disturbed individual that was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make. But I understand that to some that felt either ill timed or unclear or maybe both. And for those who think I did, point a finger, I get why you're upset. If the situation was reversed, there's a good chance I'd have felt the same way. I have many friends and family members on the other side who I love and remain close to, even though we don't agree on politics at all. I don't think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone this was a sick person who believed violence was a solution and it isn't, ever."
Jimmy Kimmel
He also commented on FCC Chair Brendan Carr's actions as well as President Donald Trump.
"Should the government be allowed to regulate which podcasts the cellphone companies and WiFi providers are allowed to let you download to make sure they serve the public interest. You think that sounds crazy? 10 years ago, this sounded crazy. Brendan Carr, the chairman of the FCC, telling an American company, 'We can do this the easy way or the hard way,' and that these companies can find ways to change conduct and take action on Kimmel or going to be additional work for the FCC ahead, in addition to being a direct violation of the First Amendment, is not a particularly intelligent threat to make in public. That unfortunately, and I think unjustly, this puts them at risk. The President of the United States made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from our jobs. Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can't take a joke."
Jimmy Kimmel
Two television ownership groups, Nexstar and Sinclair, refused to air Kimmel's return Tuesday night on its ABC-affiliated stations.
Nexstar releasing a statement Tuesday writing in part, "We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve."
Meanwhile, President Trump posted his displeasure with ABC's decision and warned against another potential lawsuit against the network.
Fans were eager for Kimmel's return, with one fan saying, "He apologized for what he needed to, how he could see how some things can play out. But he also reiterated how he really did feel about the whole situation. And he also showed, he is a human being."
